Inconveniences were many within the School, and today's "daily meditation" had yet to be completed.
...
"Councilman Nois, this is indeed a great victory, and you deserve the main credit!"
Within the grand White Stone Hall, the location of which was unknown, a brief celebration banquet was taking place.
Nois smiled and raised his crystal goblet, self-assuredly taking a sip.
The Wizards around him sent praises his way, but Nois's expression became ever more serene, a faint smile hanging on his lips as he accepted the wine from the hands of those who came to congratulate him.
He was a true genius, worthy of these praises and capable of bearing them.
At the very front of the hall, six Wizards sat in the seats of honor, surrounded by a mystical aura that obscured their faces.
One of the Wizards, ensconced in white light, slowly spoke, "For this operation, indeed Nois should be credited with the main honor, recording a hundred thousand Council Points and an additional reward."
As his voice sounded, the hall fell silent, the previously chattering guests closing their mouths and listening intently.
Even Nois grew serious and set down his goblet.
The Wizard surrounded by white light looked towards Nois and then continued to ask, "Have you decided what reward you desire?"
"I want the complete version of that manuscript and its author; I also wish to know who wrote it," Nois replied without hesitation.
The six luminous Wizards fell silent for a moment before slowly responding,
"Granted."
"After the banquet is over, stay behind and come to us to collect your reward."
"Very well," Nois responded, placing his hand over his chest in a bow, "Thank you, Supreme Council members."
"Congratulations, Sir, on earning another hundred thousand points, typical of the Tate Family's Nois!"
The banquet continued with Nois, in the midst of the crowd, maintaining a proper smile, elegantly dealing with the throng around him.
Every move he made was both free and noble; being born into the Tate Family, he was more than adept at such social gatherings.
But more than these dull social interactions,
Nois was far more eager to know about the complete version of the manuscript that had inspired his successful modification of the Deep Red Marking Technique; and who was the author?
As the cups and plates were exchanged, with the banquet progressing, Nois looked at the jovial Wizards around him. His face wore a perfect courtesy, yet he always felt an inner sense of irritation.
'Perhaps I'm just too anxious to see the continuation of that manuscript...' he mused.
But he could not fool himself; he simply disliked gatherings of this sort.
Just mere hollow courtesies and compliments... Wizards may live long lives, but not for squandering them thus!
And honestly, it was just a minor victory, yet the Council was celebrating so grandiosely... Nois did not appreciate it in his heart.
It was unfortunate... Nois glanced at the six Supreme Council members on the stage and took another sip of his wine.
But unfortunately, these were not matters he could decide.
The moon reached its zenith, a cool silver light spilling into the hall, and finally, the banquet ended.
These noble-born Wizards politely bid each other farewell, leaving the palace high above the sky, their silhouettes disappearing into the clouds.
In the magnificent hall, only Nois and the six mysterious figures seated in the place of honor remained.
Nois lifted his head and walked towards them.
The six Wizards radiated mysterious light, and from within it, could be discerned even more layered figures.
In fact, even Nois himself did not know, within the Supreme Council, whether there were only these six visible Supreme Councilmen or even more beyond them.
Hum——
A glimmer of starlight flashed, and thereafter, a Memory Crystal emerged before Nois.
"This is the complete version of the manuscript," said the Wizard wrapped in white light indifferently, "As for the identity of the one who wrote the manuscript, you will know once you see it."
A flicker of joy crossed Nois's face as he bowed his chest towards the Supreme Council member and then closed his eyes to begin reading the crystal's contents.
The six Supreme Council members sat in six parallel chairs, motionless, like statues of gods or Buddhas.
Before long, Nois finished reading the crystal, his expression stunned.
He looked a bit disconcerted as he raised his head to regard the Supreme Council members, taking a moment before speaking hoarsely,
"The credit for today's success is not mine alone. Since the manuscript is written by Silvester, why not invite him here? He deserves this honor."
The six Supreme Councilmen remained silent as if they had not heard Nois's question.
"Is it because... he's a Half-blood Wizard of the True Knowledge Society?" Nois's tone grew increasingly icy.
"Watch your tone, Nois," came a calm voice.
Nois looked up slightly, his gaze filled with profound disappointment.
The aura behind the Supreme Council members flickered.
For a moment, a new figure suddenly emerged, revealing a face somewhat similar to Nois's.
"Nois!"
"Grandfather..." Nois was astounded.
The figures of the six Supreme Council members gradually faded.
In the grand hall, only the grandfather and grandson remained.
The grandfather frowned at Nois, his expression angry, then after a moment, sighed and consoled him,
"You're no less capable than Silvester; what he can do, you can do as well. It's just inspiration you're lacking, why be dejected?"
Nois bowed his head, seemingly obedient, but within his heart, he only felt that this consolation was extremely distasteful, nauseating him.
Of course, Nois was confident he was no less than Silvester.